People irritate me. I'd like to live on an uncharted tropical isle, with maybe a trained chimp as my companion.

by Anonymous

reply 6

04/01/2013

3 or 4 days. And it's more cabin fever, being in the same place for days on end, that pushes me to get out, not the desire to be around people.

by Anonymous

reply 7

04/01/2013

I wouldn't mind meaningful, interesting human contact. It seems like that has been years. I have no interest in the rest, though I am forced to have some due to job and other stuff.

by Anonymous

reply 8

04/01/2013

Forever would be ideal. Need animals & birds around, people just get in the way.

by Anonymous

reply 9

04/01/2013

Brandon? Is that you?

by Anonymous

reply 10

04/01/2013

[quote]People irritate me. I'd like to live on an uncharted tropical isle, with maybe a trained chimp as my companion.

Pray for Mojo.

by Anonymous

reply 12

04/01/2013

Months, and then when I get it, interacting with a cashier or a waitress is enough.

by Anonymous

reply 13

04/01/2013

But take away the internet, which is human contact of a kind, and I'm a basketcase in less than 24 hours.

by Anonymous

reply 14

04/01/2013

I don't get people who not only need others, but will happily accept anyone to satisfy that need. Human contact is great, but it has to be GOOD contact.

by Anonymous

reply 15

04/01/2013

two days

by Anonymous

reply 16

04/01/2013

R14 when my internet is down books are my backup.

by Anonymous

reply 17

04/01/2013

When I left home at 18 I stayed 17 days until I spoke with someone who I was going to meet again (she was my neighbour and we became friends a year later). Before that I only had exchanges with store clerks and guys who would come on to me.

by Anonymous

reply 19

04/02/2013

It would be interesting to test this out. I know I can happily spend weekends in total isolation. I even spend many weekends in a media blackout - no TV, papers, radio or internet. I spend my time in silence or listening to music.

by Anonymous

reply 21

04/02/2013

R20, I talk to trees & other plants, even rocks. I don't expect them to listen & perhaps respond, the way I do with animals & birds & snails, etc., but I do speak to them. Wouldn't it be rude not to?

by Anonymous

reply 22

04/02/2013

Maybe a couple of days. In fact, I NEED a couple of days away from humans every so often.

But I get weak and it becomes difficult to maintain my persona if I don't have I to ate contact with someone after several days.

by Anonymous

reply 23

04/02/2013

I'm quite isolated. I can get in the car and drive to town and interact with people on an impersonal level but if I stay home I could go for months or more without seeing a soul. No doubt it's negatively affected me but I'm not able to judge the extent of it. It's just my life.

by Anonymous

reply 24

04/02/2013

Hell is other people.

by Anonymous

reply 25

04/02/2013

Depends who's on Cam 4.

by Anonymous

reply 26

04/02/2013

I enjoy my alone time a great deal due to the hectic pace of my job on a daily basis. But any more than a day at a time is not good for me.

by Anonymous

reply 27

04/02/2013

I have a roommate who cannot live on his own for a few minutes. He's on his phone again.

by Anonymous

reply 28

04/02/2013

How long can I go without human contact? .........The rest of my life!

by Anonymous

reply 29

04/28/2014

If I didn't have to for work...forever

by Anonymous

reply 30

04/28/2014

I routinely go 3 days... from leaving work Friday to showing up Monday morning, I generally have no human contact at all, save for ordering from a waiter/waitress, or interacting with the check-out person at the grocery store.

Long holiday weekends tend to just make that time longer.

Last Thanksgiving, I didn't see another human being (except the exceptions noted above) between leaving work on Tuesday evening, until returning to work on Monday morning (we get the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off as well as the Friday after).

When it gets THAT long, it starts to bother me a little. But the older I get and the more often it happens, the more used to it I get.

by Anonymous

reply 31

04/28/2014

I could live alone on an orbiting space station for years and I'd be just fine.

I like people and relationships but I don't NEED them.

by Anonymous

reply 32

04/28/2014

Forever, but I wanted a relationship so there is one person I see all the time. It's difficult but worth it. Other than my partner, I don't care if I never see anyone ever again.

by Anonymous

reply 33

04/28/2014

Avoidant Personality Disorder is a thing? 0ff to Google, but tell me more

by Anonymous

reply 34

04/28/2014

I usually need to see a cashier for a two-second transaction about once a week. But other than that, datalounge is good enough. I try to get out every other day so I can see people going about their business, but I don't actually have to interact with them, seeing them is enough.

by Anonymous

reply 35

04/28/2014

That said if I go a long time without talking to anyone I will babble on about nothing until they stop me.

by Anonymous

reply 36

04/28/2014

[quote]I could live alone on an orbiting space station for years and I'd be just fine. I like people and relationships but I don't NEED them,

I could have written that. I want sex fairly regularly, but otherwise I could go without interaction indefinitely.

I do have a couple friends who I don't see often, but when we get together we talk for hours on end as if no time had passed at all.

by Anonymous

reply 37

04/28/2014

I love going out into the world, but I hate dealing with people. Fortunately I go out mostly during weekdays, and have very little contact with people.

by Anonymous

reply 38

04/29/2014

I crave daily, hourly human contact (in the form of TOUCH)

I don't get it though. I'll go days, even weeks, without anyone touching me in any significant way.

I'm sure it has a negative effect on me.

For a while last year, I actually paid to get a massage once or twice a month, just to have another man's hands touch me.

by Anonymous

reply 39

06/22/2014

Interesting. Either the thread itself attracted more responses, or there are a lot of us loners (used to be such an unfortunate word,) out here. We should get together!

by Anonymous

reply 40

06/22/2014

I've never had a lot of friends, I'm not good with people and they generally don't like me. I have always been with my immediate family and my sister is my only 'friend'. Sometimes I think I could handle being alone if my family wasn't around, but I'm not sure because I've never been COMPLETELY alone - no friends, but I have my family. I can't get along with people or connect with anyone so I'm going to end up totally alone at some point. Don't know if I can handle it, hope I can because that's my future.

by Anonymous

reply 41

06/22/2014

I too wish it could be forever.

When I was an adolescent, my favorite fantasy was to live in a world where I was the only person on the planet.

I used to be very insecure and constantly needed reassurance from other people that I was OK. But that was over by the time I hit my mid-30s. Now that I'm in my mid-50s I'm just done with people in general.

My fantasy right now is to work from home.

by Anonymous

reply 42

06/22/2014

In screening people for possible depression, a common question is: "When was the last time you spoke with someone?"

As for me, I start to get sad if more than a day goes by without talking to/touching someone else.

by Anonymous

reply 43

06/22/2014

[quote]"When was the last time you spoke with someone?"

Does a waiter or check-out person at the grocery count?

Because if you ask me pretty much any Sunday night when the last time I actually SPOKE to a person other than someone like that...the answer would generally be "two days ago", referring to Friday afternoon when I probably talked to someone at work.

The number of times I talk to someone who isn't a coworker, about things that aren't related to work... or a waiter/clerk, is honestly pretty rare. I think I've gone weeks sometimes.

by Anonymous

reply 45

06/22/2014

[quote]How can you be so isolated, and WANT to be so?

I'm sorry, but have you MET other people?

by Anonymous

reply 46

06/22/2014

If I go too long alone, I start to imagine people on datalounge know which posts are mine and are deliberately following me around harrassing me.

by Anonymous

reply 47

06/22/2014

When I became disabled and stopped working 9 years ago, I slowly started to live a loner's life. Have no friends but aside from not having someone to do stuff with I kinda enjoy solitude. It is certainly not for everyone but to each his own. Pets are better than most people, they give you unconditional love, companionship and friendship.

by Anonymous

reply 48

06/22/2014

I like being alone but I enjoy interacting with others too. Had a houseful yesterday for a friends 30th birthday and had a great time. Today, it's lovely to be lounging alone on the couch with my dogs.

by Anonymous

reply 49

06/22/2014

I spend every weekend alone. And if I take a vacation for a week, that's alone too. I have no boyfriend and few friends. At work I socialize well, but I am happier when I'm home with my cats, my garden, and NO PEOPLE.

by Anonymous

reply 50

06/22/2014

Does talking to people on the Internet count? I have a regular conversation going with some friends who live halfway across the country. We check in every day via Facebook.

I'm married so I'm rarely totally alone although we both do our separate things (he's downstairs watching the World Cup at the moment) . But when he's away for a couple of days, I do get a little buggy, so I suspect that if he were not in the picture, I would be more proactive about seeking out activities with friends or even (gasp!) meeting new friends.

by Anonymous

reply 51

06/22/2014

I was diagnosed with a terminal illness in March. Since then, I've been pretty much on my own. The only person I have have had a face to face conversation this month is my doctor.

My so called friends who acted all concerned when they found out have all but disappeared. I can't do normal things like go out to eat or to the movies because of the nasty side effects from the drugs I'm on--constant diarrhea.

It's more distressing to me to be stuck at home all the time than being isolated from other people. Am having a hard time adjusting to the fact that I can't go hiking or take a road trip any more.

by Anonymous

reply 52

06/22/2014

Define "human" OP

by Anonymous

reply 53

06/22/2014

Very sad R52.

by Anonymous

reply 54

06/22/2014

[quote]Support group for avoidant personality disorder is forming down at the little church on Main St.

Do we get separate rooms?

by Anonymous

reply 55

06/22/2014

Sorry, R52 :( Hang in there.

by Anonymous

reply 56

06/22/2014

You're a whore, darlin'.

by Anonymous

reply 57

06/22/2014

[quote] Have you been hurt THAT much, that walling yourselves off is the answer?

Sadly yes.

by Anonymous

reply 58

06/22/2014

Have you phoned your friends recently R52? Have you invited any of them to visit?

I know someone who complains that his friends never call. He never calls them. There needs to be a two way street.

by Anonymous

reply 59

06/22/2014

R52 Please start a thread of your own where we could chat with you. I'm very sorry you are having a tough time and it might be good to have a place to vent, 'talk' to others etc... I really do wish you the best. There's also a great TV show airing the UK on Channel 4 called 'My Last Summer'. Check it out as it might be a good resource for you.

by Anonymous

reply 60

06/22/2014

Come back R52.

by Anonymous

reply 61

06/24/2014

What R7 said. Only child, live solo, a dweller on the outter social fringes. Realized early on that I need a quiet space of my own to detox and recharge. I so rarely met people of interest that I long ago lost the impetus to be bothered with social contact. But on those very rare occasions that I do come across a kindred spirit, contact is indeed a true joy.

by Anonymous

reply 62

06/24/2014

I can go for a few days, but I do like getting together with friends for dinner or a movie.

I think us as social people was more an idea of the middle ages and before, because you could not survive on your own with out the support of a family or a clan. Also religious dogmas determined how people had to live.

by Anonymous

reply 63

06/24/2014

I now like long periods without human contact. My work had me dealing with huge amounts of people - all around the globe. At one event, we were told to expect 30,000 but a quarter million showed up. I've been to more than 50 nations so it's time to stay home where it's peaceful and quiet with no more travel.

by Anonymous

reply 64

06/24/2014

How to Care for Your Introvert

by Anonymous

reply 65

06/24/2014

Honestly a month. I'm a writer constantly interrupted by people and having to live in the world of people. I know I could write a whole novel and a damn good one if only I had one entire month of peace.

It was also a joke when I was a copywriter in an ad agency as I was actually expected to work in a cube farm full of immature noisy people. I did most of my work at home and brought it in. I'd use work hours to collect research and just have to tolerate all the chattering magpies known as my co-workers and hear about little Kayleigh and Ashford ...

by Anonymous

reply 66

06/24/2014

Not that surprised by all the antisocial responses here.

I can only go around 24 hours at home before I have to get out of the house. I could go longer without much social contact but only a few days. Being around people you like is fun.

by Anonymous

reply 67

06/24/2014

Extrovert vs. Introvert

by Anonymous

reply 68

06/24/2014

That last post was from R52

by Anonymous

reply 70

06/24/2014

I'm only 24 and still a student but I've been enjoying solitude more and more with each year. There are periods when I'm really not in the mood for any kind of company for days and I won't even answer telephone calls from my closest friends then. And my perfect evening consist of scrolling through DL for an hour or two and then watching some cheesy 1980's movie or few episodes of Murder She Wrote. I know that makes me sound like a 70-year-old spinster, but I really couldn't care less what other people think about me.

by Anonymous

reply 71

06/24/2014

R52 I'm really sorry that the thread got nasty. I hope you are getting some sort of support. Sorry, too, that you are sick. Hang in there. Some people do care.

by Anonymous

reply 72

06/24/2014

[quote]Honestly a month. I'm a writer constantly interrupted by people and having to live in the world of people. I know I could write a whole novel and a damn good one if only I had one entire month of peace.

Sounds like Jack Torrance in The Shining.

by Anonymous

reply 73

06/24/2014

I care about you too R52. You've been dealt a tough hand. Don't give up and find peace and hope where you can.

by Anonymous

reply 74

06/24/2014

R71, you sound just like me except I'm 52 and disabled.

by Anonymous

reply 75

06/26/2014

I walked away from my ob nine years ago and became a hermit. I don't miss human contact, in fact I shiver at the thought of having to be in the company of anyone at this point. The only thing I miss is dining out at truly great restaurants. Everything else, I can do on my own.

by Anonymous

reply 76

06/26/2014

Why can't you "dine out at really great restaurants" by yourself, R76? Is "table for 1" just too pathetic sounding for you? For me, it's not and I read something great while I eat. Yeah, total nerd introvert, but I do like dining out with other humans too once in a while.

by Anonymous

reply 77

06/26/2014

R52 I honestly wish I could take you out to a great dinner. I really hope that you will be at the very least, feeling better soon(and free of the intestinal misery.)I'm truly sad that your friends appear to have abandoned you. At least we have DL as a resource for some interaction. Let us know how you are feeling in the days to come. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

by Anonymous

reply 78

06/27/2014

R77 Yes. I suppose that is the reason I stopped dining out. But I have reached a point where I just might be up for doing it as you said. Damn whatever the other people think...they're not paying my tab or ordering my food. I think that I may have reached the age and point where I (almost) don't look for approval from without. That would be so freeing.

by Anonymous

reply 79

06/27/2014

Last intimate touch was my once-monthly hookup about a month ago. I'm dying here. I need to be touched and held beyond the "polite" business-related hug. Definitely not enough. It hurts.

by Anonymous

reply 80

06/27/2014

R52, you have my sympathies. Please hang in there. Perhaps some sort of support group might help? Maybe your doctor could put you in contact with one.

R80, I'm not currently in a relationship and I miss affectionate human touch too. I read once that babies that are not touched often enough often have psychological problems in adulthood.

I live alone and work at home and although I'm on a lot of conference calls, I could easily go days without any real human contact other than that, especially this past bad winter. Sometimes I don't mind but after I've been on vacation with family and/or friends or spent a long weekend away with someone, I do find that I feel a bit lonely at first when I get back home.

by Anonymous

reply 81

06/27/2014

R52, wishing you well.

I was diagnosed with leukemia some time ago and although I am on a good medication which could possibly prolong my life, I know I am on borrowed times. I have made my peace with it. Its OK!

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